Don't Play Games ... Do Your Job

Sports is my alter ego; I have watched and played since I could walk. The Big Three -- baseball, basketball and football -- have been a part of my life ever since I can remember. Along the way, my competitive nature led to a love of soccer, hockey, bowling, tennis, rugby and golf. I have an obsessive personality; ask anyone who knows my golfing obsession.

Games are fun, but running a game on co-workers and management is a losing game. Depending on the situation, it may not catch up with you right away, but it will at some point. Let me tell a story about a talented air personality who never lived up to his potential. I will refer to this person as Boy Wonder; while you read this, I bet you are thinking about someone at work just like him.

Your Next Star Might be Bagging Your Groceries...

This gentleman was naturally funny and people were always drawn to him. We got to know Boy Wonder when he was working at a McDonalds. One of the staff came back from lunch one day and told us about this funny kid. So, several of us had to go see for ourselves and he was right, the young man had us doubled up laughing while we ordered. We took the PD there to check him out and he instantly took to this guy and asked if he'd like to be on the radio.

Opportunity...

He started working at the station in the promotions department. He did well despite a tendency to bring his multitude of personal problems into the work place. Eventually he sucked up to the GM, which led to gentle coercion towards a part-time on-air position far ahead of the PDs plans for Boy Wonder. But, no biggie, the PD thought nothing of the GM's nudge and started working with him on his on-air presentation.

Something Seemed Off...

I pretty much always stayed clear of Boy Wonder because there was something about him that seemed a little off. One thing bothered me: I noticed he would never accept responsibility for even the smallest of things.

New PD ...

We are all used to the "there's been a change" memo introducing a new PD. The e-mail hadn't even been archived and the troops were already nervously trying to figure out their place under the new regime. Boy Wonder lucked out and was at the right place at the right time and was promoted to fill the overnight slot.

Suddenly Not So Funny...

You would think working into the wee hours of the morning would keep someone out of trouble, wrong. He was the Donald Trump of radio, always creating chaos among his fellow personalities; a dysfunctional and talented group. Although Boy Wonder was overnight, he found time to come in during the day and instigate constant office drama. His ulterior motive was to deflect attention from his shortcomings. For example, not doing assigned production or taping breaks in advance of a paid remote and not being on location at the beginning of the event. But he had the GM's ear and a good-hearted promotions director who felt bad for him and all his endless number of "Poor Me" things going on in his life. Just when you were ready to kill Boy Wonder, he would show a glimpse of his talent and others would enable his behavior with more excuses for his lapses.

Promoted & Then Self-Destructs...

The radio gods and perceptual research reward regardless of disruptive character flaws; according to the findings, he was our best-known air talent. The PD gave Boy Wonder the promotion despite all the problems he caused. Then it finally happened ... a situation he couldn't deflect away. This stunt not only cost the GM a considerable amount of revenue, but Boy Wonder tried to blame it on the PD; supposedly a misinterpretation of a memo. Finally, the GM saw what others had been trying to tell him for some time; Boy Wonder was not to be trusted, and everyone assumed he was untouchable. Enough was enough and we were all relieved he was gone from our midst.

Don't Be Like Boy Wonder...

The moral of the story, air personalities must work at their craft, mind their own business, and be courteous. Don't make everyone else a suspect to make yourself look good. Take responsibility for your actions in the good and bad times. Let your talent and work ethic speak for itself.